Guest Blogger Profile: Simon Daykin

Grooms can take a note from these guys when it comes to style

Last year North Americans spent over 52 Billion dollars on clothes, sadly most did not buy any style.  Don’t believe me?  Next time you’re travelling internationally, try to pick out the North Americans in the airport.  They are pretty easy to spot for the most part, walking piles of laundry.  Oversized sweaters, rumpled pants, baseball hats, etc.  In contrast, look at the European travelers, smart, well dressed, hair styled and great shoes.  Still comfortable for flying, but they look good while doing it.

I always say that it is never a bad thing to be the best dressed guy in the room, and I stand by this 100%.  I have also noticed that some guys just don’t know how to choose well fitted clothes, the shoulders on their shirt end at their triceps, or the neck is WAY too big for them.  Did you know that when a suit jacket is buttoned up and you pull it away from your body, there should only be the length of your thumb between your body and the jacket?  Any more space and the jacket is not the right fit for you.  I know casual Friday is recognized in most offices, but seriously guys, that doesn’t mean baggy jeans, old stinky sneakers and a “Golden Boy” T-shirt.

Shall We Begin?

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again.  The suit is not the be all and end all, you need to add your style to it.  Accessorize my friends…add pocket squares, a kick ass tie, amazing shoes, even socks can make an impact.  I have my Union Jack socks that I wear to most events, yup, they get noticed.  The suit is a great place to start but it needs to be added to.  And when choosing the suit, I suggest making a trip to a high end suit store to pick the salesman’s brain.  Ask about style trends, colors that are in that season and how to accessorize if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.  Also, if you have a friend or co worker that dresses really well and you like their style, ask them a few questions, trust me…they will be flattered you did.  If you pick up your suit or tux rental and go with what they give you, then you’ll just look like every other guy who got married over the last decade or so, and we don’t want that do we!?!?!

Many grooms accessorize with engraved cufflinks.

Size Does Matter

It’s a pretty simple concept, but it’s also simple to screw this up because a lot of guys don’t know exactly what to look for.  A well tailored suit will make you look a million times better than a suit you pulled off the rack at say…Sears.  When choosing your shirts and suits make sure that the shoulder seams fall on your shoulders.  Pretty simple concept right?  Now have a look at the general public the next time you’re out and see how many guys have broken this rule.  A collar on a dress shirt should fit snugly around your neck, not too tight though.  If you can fit more than one finger between you and your collar, that neck size is not the right one for you.  If you’re getting married on a beach and you’re going with the golf shirt style, the shirt should end just below the waist…not down at the crotch, you ain’t K-Fed!  With the pants, a pant worn lower will elongate your torso, I like this look and it works for me.  A higher waistline will make your torso appear shorter and more stocky.  A jacket that drapes low on you will give you the appearance of having shorter legs, but a shorter cut on the jacket will make them appear longer.  It’s important to try on a few different styles to make sure you get the right one for you.

Quality Always Wins

You can always tell the difference between a tailored suit or tux and one that is off the rack.  Be it the lining, the stitching, the fabric the garment is made of and most of the time, the fit itself.  If you are renting, go to a higher end rental place, forget Moore’s rentals and the “booklet” people.  Go to a place that has stock on site and will let you try stuff on.  NEVER, EVER order sight unseen!  If you’ve decided to get married in a suit, buy a new suit for the wedding, a custom suit, just for you.  I suggest Indochino.com, I get all my suits from here and I can say, they do good work.  You can wear that suit after your wedding, it’s not the dress that gets wrapped in plastic and stuck in a box.  So spend a little extra on it.  You’ll have it for a long time.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

At your wedding you should be the best dressed guy in the room, nay…you MUST be!  So do your research, look into various styles, look at both suits and tuxes as options.  Research the colors and accessories and go shoe shopping.  Never wear the rental shoes!  Try EVERYTHING on!  If you’re thinking about wearing it on your wedding day, try it on before hand.  Put on the full look, down to the cufflinks and socks.  If you’re wearing sunglasses for an outdoor ceremony, put those on with the outfit, they may not look as good with a suit as they do with a beer and boardshorts.  And make sure they fit properly, sunglasses should fit the frame of your face, not hang off the side.
There are plenty of places and people out there that you really have no excuse to be ill dressed at your wedding, or really any day of your life.  Don’t be afraid to ask, or visit if you have any questions.  If you don’t want to go out in public with your style questions, the internet is there for you in the privacy of your own home.  Sites such as Indochino.com have style tips on a wide variety of subjects,  TheManRegistry.com has a stable of experts (myself included) just waiting to help you out, Youtube.com can show you how to tie a bow tie and I’m always available should you need me.

So in closing gentlemen, remember that fashion is fun, once you have a few rules that work for you on the basics, try new things, add brighter colors and may every suit you wear be a well fitted one.

One word: classy

Rewind 5 months ago to the day you were watching the season finale of 24, and the fiancee tells you that she’s decided electric pink would be your wedding color.  On auto-reply mode (which is typical engaged guy mode), you reply with, “Sure, honey, whatever your heart desires.”

Now, here you are, looking at pink bow-ties and cummerbunds.  Grooms, don’t get me wrong…if you’re all over the pink theme – MORE POWER TO YOU!  But, if you’re not partial to the pink at all…it may not be too late to change your girls mind, or if anything…throw in another color, like navy blue for a nice feminine and masculine balance.

Here are 9 color trends for Weddings 2009

Shades of Brown – This one has been on the trend list for a couple of years.  Pair it up with colors like: pink, green, blue, or lavender. This bride and groom friendly color will bring a richness that will remind your guests of chocolate.  You can’t go wrong with this one.

Black & White – This classic duo made it’s grand comeback last year in the very popular damask pattern.  For a fun and classy look – add in a bright, bold shade of green, pink or yellow.

Monochromatic Colors – A single color in different shades is a big trend for 2009.  Think yellows in butter and in sunshine, or purples in royal and in lavender.

Fiesta Inspired Hues – Colors like fuchsia, orange, bright yellow and of course red are the perfect mix for a funky wedding day!  This color trend works beautiful in dresses and decor.

Soft Grey and White – Sound dull?  No way!  Add in some sparkle with silver or copper.  This combination exudes romance and high-end.

Tropical Shades – Since sea and sand elements lead this always popular trend, add in splashes of yellow and turquoise in favor boxes, or ribbons.  This is a sure way to modernize the island style theme in 2009.

Pinks Galore- That’s right…it’s back – bigger and badder than ever!  Though it used to be a more popular accent color, 2009 brings pink to the center stage.  Use different shades of pink for the bridesmaids dresses, pink ties and fun pink socks for the groomsmen, splashes of pink in the decor and favors!  Can you imagine how gorgeous the pictures would turn out?

Oranges and Peaches – The color orange is a making a big return this year in wedding themes.  Throw in a lumionous cream color for that extra special touch.  Photography of orange and peach themed decor and florals come out stunning against green..say..grass for your backyard nuptials; or blue for that ocean front “I do.”

Punch O’ Purple - Certain purple shades matched up with brown tones, or with black and white or with golds and silvers, will introduce you to a whole new set of combinations!  It’s such a versatile color that it’s perfect for day or evening weddings and for all the seasons.

Lastly, let me share this wedding color scheme designer tool with you.  It will definitely impress the Bride-to-be. Good luck!

Gretchen Viles of MyWedding.com is a weekly guest contributor to the GroomsAdvice blog. She specializes in blogging about groom’s issues from a bride’s perspective. Founded in 2002, MyWedding.com has grown into the most comprehensive easy-to-use local wedding guide on the Internet. They recently launched a wedding ideas and trends content section that focuses on all aspects of wedding planning.

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TMR in the News – Take a look at this great company profile of The Man Registry from Entrepreneur.com. Props to Jake Kilroy for writing this masterpiece of modern day literature.

Cheers!